“What separates us from the animals, what separates us from the chaos, is our ability to mourn people we’ve never met.” ― David Levithan, Author

Good morning. I do encourage everyone to be thankful for the blessings we enjoy as children of the living God. It's Wednesday, May 24, 2017, and I send out a hearty hello to all those gaining access to today's edition. The indiscriminate, intentional killing and maiming of those attending a music concert in Manchester, England, is sad beyond belief. We join others across the globe who are seeking God at this time. At the same time, there is a sense of indignation and anger against whatever it is that motivates someone to perpetrate such an evil act. While everyone awaits the outcome of the full investigation going forward, it is a matter of ongoing debate for a number of years concerning the laxity afforded those known as hate mongers in the UK. I read in a UK Newspaper just yesterday that there are 3,500 known terror suspects residing in the UK but policing authorities have few tools available to monitor and track their whereabouts and movements. This attack already appears to be connected to one of the major terrorist threads. Parents and others directly impacted by this attack must wonder about the wisdom behind a system that tends to look the other way when dealing with potential threats. I know the price of life in a free society comes with attendant risks. However, reading some of the accounts over the years of how terror suspects in the United Kingdom have used the courts to dodge responsibility for their activities, well, it does make one wonder. And, it is a cautionary tale for ourselves here in the United States of America. Here's some haunting words from one of the great leaders of the past 100 years, Lady Thatcher following 9/11: "We have harboured those who hated us, tolerated those who threatened us and indulged those who weakened us."

Is there any part of the human condition untouched by corruption? Nope. I saw this week the report that pointed out the amount of corruption involved in delivering aid of all kinds to the world. The organization that oversees this 'charitable' activity spent $200 million on travel to places far and wide, mostly in luxury, as they wined and dined themselves, discussing the plight of the world's poorest. This is not new. There are those who profit greatly from the businesses involved in the delivery of aid to the needy all over the globe. In addition to what some have called these 'lords of poverty', there is the rip off by the local authorities who take for themselves whatever they want. These profiteers and greedy politicians do these deeds with no sympathy or concern for those images we see of the helpless child with a bloated belly or the one where the vulture stands nearby waiting. For those who think that we are born basically good, think again. The Creator has something to say about that. He told us how that sin originated and how that every person born into this world is possessed by it. It's called the fallen nature. It is in need of change. The Creator provided for that as well. He sent His one and only Son to die for us all that we might be saved and changed by His power. Look it up. It's in the Book! (Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?")

Think about it.

Here's a funny thing I saw when I was back home. The roads coming into my little Louisiana hometown from some access points are really bad. Really bad. They make you think you might have a toothache. That's how bad they are. But, not to worry, they did something to improve the experience. They recently added white striping on both sides of the edges and new yellow dividing stripes in the middle. No roadwork. Nothing to fill in the holes. No dental insurance. Just striping. New striping. It reminded me of something that happened to the company I worked for many years ago. A team studied, researched, and subsequently recommended the purchase of a related business. That business proved to be a disaster. It was finally sold off after five years at a huge loss. I asked an influential manager how that could have happened. He said the company we bought put a fresh coat of paint on all their manufacturing facilities and the fellows who recommended the purchase must have thought they were new. They were not new. Those stripes may look good from a helicopter. Maybe. But they do little to alleviate the jaw pain. Just say'in. Take care. Enjoy. Be thankful. Give God the glory. Amen. ....More later.